Window cleaning apparatus



Dec. 18, 1934. I. GOLDSMITH 1,984,370

WINDOW CLEANTNG APPARATUS Filed Feb. 11, 1930 INVENTOR I. Goldsmith HISATTORNEY Patented Dec. 18, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcs WINDOWCLEANING APPARATUS Israel Goldsmith, New York, N. Y.

Application February 11, 1930, Serial No. 427,452

17 Claims. '(Cl. 15-126) This invention relates to window cleaningapparatus.

It is an object of this invention to provide apparatus which will makepossible the washing of the surfaces of windows which are disposedfacing outwardly from a building, by a person, situated wholly withinthe confines of the building, such person being subjected to no dangerof falling or the like, and the apparatus being simply, efficiently, andinstantly adjustable either to wash or. to wipe the window, at theoption of the user, without removal, or addition of any parts to theapparatus.

It has been customary to dispose ones self in some manner onthe outsideface of a structure when it was desired to wash the outside surfaces ofthe panes of windows, facing outwardly from the walls of a structure.That is, either by sitting on the window sill, with the major portion ofthe body disposed on the outside of the building, or by standing on thewindow ledge, the body being entirely without the building, and held tothe building bydevices such as a flexible strap, the

washer would p-ly his implements for cleaning these surfaces. Thedangers inherent in either of these situations are commonly known.

Apparatus has been devised, inthe past, for washing and wiping windowsto avoid the necessity of so endangering the person. However, themechanisms involved were cumbersome, expensive to manufacture, andapparently, from their construction, might require that the personpositioning them for use place himself without the building. Theircumbersomeness made undesirable and impractical shifting the apparatusfrom window to window, as is necessary in the ordinary course of washingwindows of a structure.

It is an object of this invention to provide, for the purpose of washingand wiping windows in the manner set forth, apparatus which may'easilybe transferred fromplace to place and which shall be inexpensive tomanufacture and capable of operation by any inexperienced person.

For this purpose, a plurality of rods are pivotally or swivellyconnected together; at the end of one of them, either a single unithaving washing and'wiping elements thereon, or two individual washingand wiping elements are assse-mbled. Preferably but two rods, inaddition to the one upon which the elements are supported, are

utilized, the ends of these rods beingretained in the two hands of theuser who positions himself at the window opening and extends the. rodsthrough the opening so that the effective portions of the washing andwiping: elements are directed inwardly against an outwardly facingsurface of a window pane, disposed above the level of the users arms.The handle rods are connected to the rod carrying the cleaning elementsso that, by

retaining one substantially stationary and recipro- 5 eating the other,a reciprocating motion may be imparted tothe elements, moving the latterover the surface of a window relative to which. they may have beenpositioned. The rod which normally is held stationary duringreciprocation of 10' the elements is secured to the carrier rod in suchposition that, by movement thereof, either while the rod used forreciprocating the elements is in motion or is retained stationary, theelements or the unit maybe quickly positioned to make effective eitherthe washing or the wiping element for their respective functions.

Ordinarily, two window sashes are assembled at each window opening insuch manner that vertical sl-iding movement ofthe sashes over eachother, either into closed or open-position, is permitted. Thethicknessaof the sash, as well as the border width of the material ofthe sash within which the glass panes arev mounted are factors whichnormally would interfere with the efficient operation ofapparatus of thetype herein above set forth, when it becomes necessary to wash windowpanes ineither of the sashes. It is an object of this invention so todispose the washing and the wiping elements that window panes in eithersash may be cleaned, at the election of the operator, withoutinterference of parts of the sashes with the operation.

In order to effectuate this portion of the invention, the elements arespaced angularly, horizon-tally and vertically in orderto assure freedomof movement past the framework of the sashes so as not to obstruct theoperation of the elements when either one element is inposition toengage a window pane of a sash.

Other objects of this invention will. in part obvious and in parthereinafter pointed out.

The inventionis not restricted to the constructions and arrangements ofparts herein shown and described nor to the various details thereof, asthe same may be modified in various particulars without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention, some practical embodiments ofwhich have been herein illustrated and described without attempting toshow all the various forms and modifications in which the inventionmight be embodied.

In the accompanying drawing, in which are shownsome of the variouspossible illustrative embodiments of: this invention,

Fig. 1 is an elevational view, illustrating the application of anembodiment of the invention to washing a window,portions of theapparatus being broken away in section to illustrate the interiorconstruction thereof.

Fig. 2is a similar elevational view, with the windows positioned inanother relative position, and the device, shown in Fig. 1, nowpositioned for wiping the window.

Fig. 3, is an elevational view of a modified con-'- struction of thewashing'and wiping element.

The embodiment of the invention shown on the drawing is seen to consistof a washing element" glepiece of 'metaLfcut- 'into a desired patternand bent to assume, a desired shape. 1 Then, either by welding,solderinapr a like operation, abutted edges are united to make awater-tight container. One apex of the triangle-may -heleft open, as at22, and either by bending an end portion of 35 oneflof the side walls,or by positioning a separate piece of metal across this opening, theedges of such metallic portion or piece are brought into abutment withand then scldered, welded or otherwiserjoined to the extendingj edges ofthe side and endwalls ofithe container to provide a closure 26 forthecontainer. Closure 26 is preferably perforated, as at .28, to permit thedis charge from the container of liquidtherein.

In the constructioriishown on the drawin'gQthe side wallsextendfbeyond;closurej 26, as at, 30.

Such extensions may also be providedby separate plates, bolted,soldered, welded orjotherwise se.

cured to the'side walls of the container so that; they extend beyond theclosure 26 and form 50 a a retainer for abrushing device 36. A mop ofwicking or other material, formed to he slipped between the extensions30 and theclosure 26, may constitute such brushing device, which mayhave a longitudinal portion thereof compressed and reducedr as at 3' 7,to facilitatethe; assembly of the device 36with extensions 30. r The endwalls of the container do notfextendvbeyond closure 26,

to'permit thereduced portion of the brushing de vice to be easily slidinto the slot between the extensions. The brushing, device is, ofmaterial which readily absorbs moisture as it is fed through theperforatedclosure; such moisture passes to the .outside portions of themop or wicking,

where it may be made continuously efiective to wash a window paneor thelike against which the device is brought to bear-.- in the bottom face38 of, the container is formed a filling opening 40,3 from whichmayextendthe filling neck 42, sealed 1 by a removable ,SCIBWLCIOSUIGJ Inone; modification, that shown in 2; a :tubular arm is secured to thecontainer centrally of the bottom face, in any well-known manner;andisflitself receivedover the end of rigid element 14, to which it m aybe secured against relative movement in any desired manner,

as by driving a pin through the arm and the element.

Extending upwardly and angularly away from element 14 at a distance,predetermined in a manner hereinafter set forth, below the washingelement 10, is an arm 44. The wiping element 12 is secured at the end ofthe arm and is so positioned that it will extend substantially parallelto the washing element on element 14. Arm 44 is preferably integrallyformed with elementul4, or otherwise secured thereto to provide arigidportion for the reception of the sleeve 46 of the wiping element. Theend of arm 44 is housed within the sleeve, and is pinned thereto in anysuitable manner, to prevent any relative movement of these parts.

At the end of sleeve 46 is formed or secured a clamp 48, within whichmay be retained a rubber strip or squeegee 50, for purposes hereinafterappearing. Clamp 48 is formed in any well-known manner, the constructionshown being'illustrative, and not limiting. A base plate 52 may besecurely mounted or formed at the end of the sleeve. A plurality ofapertures are formed in strip plate52and a pair of loose strips 54,

which are aligned when the strips and the plate are assembled. Screws56, extended through the alignedapertures, are engagedby thumb nuts toof the elements will be such that the end edges thereof will traverse asurface of practically no curvature, that is, the movement of theeffective surface ofjtl 'e element will be substantially within avertical plane. However, if the relative conditions of ther two handlesbe now changed, it is desirable that the washing andwiping elements maybe quickly moved-from and into effective po-v sition. For this purpose,sharp arcuate motion with a minimumvertical movement is desired.

both from the connection of handle 16 to element 14 and the washing andwiping elements. Handle 16, held rigidly in one hand, provides a pivotaround which the elements may be rockedto bring their effective portionsselectively in position as the handle 18 is moved to rock element 14.Hand1e18,"held rigidly, positions the'selected element relatively to awindow pane to be washed so that vertical motion of handle 16 may effectmovementof the selected effective element substantially parallel to thewindow pane.

Handle 16 is secured to element 14 in any suitable manner; preferably,the unionof handle 16 To attainthese results, handle 16 is secured toelement 14 intermediately thereof and as close to may be'coupled theretoand to an end of, handle 16. A metallic sleeve 68, slipped over and heldto the end of the handle, may provide the portion of handle 16 to whichthe connection is coupled.

A swivelling connection is thus provided, permit ting side play, as wellas vertical movement of handle 16, in the manipulation of the washingand wiping elements.

Handle 18 is preferably secured to element 14 atthe end of thelatterremoved from the washing and wiping elements. In order that the handlemay be folded up against the element 14, when desired, and also topermita great range of movement, the pivotal connection between handle'18 and element '14 is composed of two flat L-shaped members 7 0,secured in the slottedends of the element and the handle, in anysuitable manner. The extending ends of theopposed feet '72 of thesemembers are pinned, as at Wi -for pivotal movement relative to eachother. A distinct spacing of the handle away from element 14 results sothat the handle iscapable of movement through a range of approximately180. When the handle is "to be positioned against the element 14,sufficient side play is afforded at the pivot connection described sothat the outer end of the handle may be slid along and past clamp 48.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, arm 44 is eliminated, andcontainer 20 and clamp 4.8 are made into an integral member. Thisconstruction is shown in Fig. 3, in which container 76 is constructedsimilarly to container 20, and is mounted upon the end of rigid element14 in substantially the same manner. Secured to the bottom face 78 ofthe container is an outwardly and downwardly extending plate 80, stayedby another plate 82, extending from sleeve 83. The outer end of theplate is formed with an angularly upward bent face 84, corresponding inposition and direction of tilt to that of the plate 52 of- Figs. 1 and2. With face 8 1 may be assembled aloose strip, similar to strip 54, forretaining a rubber strip in place, in the same manner as in the otherconstruction. In this manner, the washing and wiping elements areassembled in a practically unitary construction having the requiredstrength and adjustability.

In Figs. 1 and 2 are illustrated two positions of using the washing andwiping elements for their specific purposes. In Fig. l, the washingclement has been brought inte position relative to the window pane 86 ofa window sash 88. In

double sash window constructions, another window sash 90 is slidablydisposed for vertical movement relative to sash 88, as shown. Toeliminate interference from the thickness of the window sashes, as wellas the width of the frame thereof, as deterrents against the readyaccessibility of the washing and wiping elements to all parts of awindow, the wiping element is spaced away from the washing'element alongthe element 14 sufficiently so that the rubber strip will clear theupper edge .of the outer window sash when washing the window of anassociated inner sash, as seen from Fig. 1.

In addition, arm id is angularly disposed relatively to element 14 sothat the strip may be brought into properly related position with awindow pane and also to space the washing element laterally from thewiping element when the latter is operative, as in Fig. 2. When thewiping elementis brought into contact with the window pane of an innersash after the outer sash has been slid upwardly toclear that windowpane,

. the angular and lateral spacing of the wiping elements will permitproper manipulation of the wiping element, the body of container 20cleaning the frame of the'outer sash and permitting the squeegee to haveaccess to the uppermost portions .of the window pane. 1

As many changes could be made in the above constructions and manyapparently widely different embodiments of the invention designedwithout departing from the scope'and spirit of the invention, as definedin the accompanying claims, it is intended that all matter contained inthe above description or shown in the drawing shall be interpreted asillustrative merely of op erative embodiments of the invention andnot ina limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In combination, a window washing element, a window wiping element, asupporting rod retaining both of said elements, said elements beingdisposed in spaced angular relation on said rod so that, when either ispositioned in effective relation to a window surface to be cleaned, theother will be clear of all portions of said window, and means engagingsaid rod for positioning said elements to direct their effectiveportions toward the operator, said means being operable to positioneither of said elements selectively with relation to a surface to becleaned, obversely located relatively to the position of the operator,and to make that element individually operative in its cleaning functionupon the window surface while simultaneously being operative to movesaid eleients along said surface.

2. In combination, a window washing element, a window wiping element, asupporting rod retaining both of said elements, said elements beingdisposed in spaced angular relation on said rod so that, when either ispositioned. in effective relation to a'windowsurface to be cleaned, theother will be clear of all portions of said window, and means engagingsaid rod for positioning said ele ments to direct their effectiveportions toward the operator, said means being operable to positioneither of said elements selectively with relation to said surface tomake that element individually operative in its cleaning function uponthe window surface.

3. In apparatus of the class described, of pivotally connected members,window washing and wiping means mounted on one .of said members, and amanipulator engaging said memher on one side thereof, the effectiveportions of said means being disposed to extend substantially in thesame general direction from said member, and in the same generaldirection as that of the manipulator with relation to the member, theother of said members and said manipulator pro viding mechanism forpositioning said means solcctively to wipe or to wash a surface on theside of awindow located obversely relatively to an operator of saidapparatus.

,4. In apparatus of the class described, a pair ofpivotally connectedmembers, means to wash and means to wipea window, said means beingmounted on one of said members, and a manipulator engaging said member,the other of said members and said manipulator providing mechanism forpositioning said means to extend in the general direction toward theoperator holding the manipulator and to arrange the individual meansselectively either to wipe or to wash a surface on the side of a windowlocated obversely relatively to an operator of said apparatus.

5. Apparatus for window cleaning and like operations, including awashing element, a wiping element, means for retaining the elements inspaced relation, and handle means extending downwardly from and movablewith relation to the retaining means, the handle means being adjustable,without rotation, to arrange either of a pair 1 the elements in relationto a surface to be cleaned,

said elements and handle means being associated to make the elementsoperative to clean a surfac disposed above the handle means. i

engaging the support, said manipulators being operative simultaneouslyto position the support to bring either of the elementsinto position toclean a surface and/or to move either of the elements'along the surface.it i 1 '7. A window cleaning. appliance including window washing andwindow wiping elements, a sup-' port carrying the elements at anendthereof, and a pair of manipulators engaging the support beyond theend carrying the elements and in spaced apart relation to each other,saidmanipulators being operative to position the support to bring eitherof the elements into position'to clean a surface and/or to move eitherof theelements along the surface.

. 8. A window cleaning appliance including window washing and windowwiping elements, a support carrying the elements at an end thereof, and

a pair of manipulators pivotally engaging the support beyond the endcarrying the elements and in spaced apart relation to each other, saidmanipulators being simultaneously operative to position the support tobring either of the elements into position to clean a surface and/or tomove either of the elements along the surface, the manipulators and theelements, when the applianceis in use, extending substantially in thesame general direction, i

9. An appliance for cleaning the outside surfaces of windows of astructure by manipulation from within the structure, including windowwashing and window wiping elements, a support carrying the elements atan end thereof, anda pair of manipulators pivotally engaging the supportbeyond the end carrying the elements and in spaced apart relation toeach other, the relation of the manipulators and support being suchthat, when all are extendedthrough a window opening, adjustment of themanipulators will position either of the elements to clean an outsidesurface of a window at the opening, the manipulators being thereaftereffective to move either of the elements along the surface.

7 X .10. In combination window cleaning apparatus having elementssupported upon a single mounting for facility in effecting the steps ofthe cleaning operation, including a device forscrubbing the window, thedevice including a window cleaning liquid feeding means and a windowsurfacescrubbing element, the liquid feeding means carrying thescrubbing element and being con'- stantly inliquid supplyingcommunication there with, and a device for wiping the window after ithas been scrubbed by the scrubbing device, a

single support for the devices, the devices being I but at an angle toeachother, so that, whentheli' effective.wipingportion is in engagementwith a surface tojbe gcleaned, the effective washing portion will extendtowardthe surface but will not be in engagement therewith, andviceyersa, said members being actuable to position said meansto makeeither of the effective portionsindividually active .toperform itsparticular function, and to move said means with relation to the surfaceof a windowitobe cleaned. p 1 a 12. In. combination window cleaningapparatus capable of functioning both towash and to wipe a windowsurface to be cleaned, a pluralityof substantially rigid arm, members,said members being interconnected so that the members may have movementwith relation to each other; and

window washing and wiping elements carried upon one of the members,saidmembersincluding a pair of manipulatorarthe window washing and wipingelements, when the'manipulators are grasped, being directedtoward' asurface to be cleaned, movementfof the manipulators then moving theelements to determine which ofthem shall be effective at any one timeagainst that surface, the manipulators then functioning to effect motionof the selected element with relation to that surface. i

13. In combination window cleaning apparatus capable of functioning bothto wash andto wipe a window surface to be cleaned, aplurality ofsubstantially rigid arm members, said mem-, bers being interconnected sothat the members may havemovement with relation to each other, andwindow washing andwiping elements carried upon one of the members, saidmembers including a pair of manipulators, the window washing and wipingelements, when the manipulators are grasped in the hands of an operator,being directed toward a surface to be cleaned, the manipulators withoutchange out of their grasped relationship to the hands of the operator,but merely by movement of the hands, determining which,

of the elements shall be effective at any one time against that surface,the manipulators then func tioning to effect motion of. the selectedelement with relation to that surface;

14. In apparatus for cleaning window surfaces, a plurality of rigidmembers, a pair of the members being pivotally connected to each otherto move pivotally in the same plane, means-for washing windows and meansfor wiping windows, both of the means being mounted on oneof'the membersto extend from the member in the same general direction as that of themember, and a handle engaging the mounting member closely adjacent thepoint ofmounting of the means. 15. In apparatus for cleaning windowsurfaces,

a plurality of rigid members, the ends of a pair of the members beingpivotally connected to cause the members to move pivotally in the sameplane,

means for washing windows and means for wiping windows, both of themeans being mounted on the free end of one ofthe'members and extendingfrom the member in the same'general di-" rection as the direction of themember, and a.

handle engaging the mountingmember closely of the members beingpivotally connected to cause the members to move pivotally in the sameplane, means for washing windows and means for wiping windows, one ofthe means being mounted on the free end. of one of the members andhaving its surface-engaging portion extending in the same direction asthat member, the other means having its surface-engaging portiondisposed to extend in the same general direction but angularly away fromthe member, and a handle engaging the mounting member closely adjacentthe point of mounting of the means.

17. In apparatus for cleaning window surfaces, a plurality of rigidmembers, the ends of a pair of the members being pivotally connected tocause the members to move pivotally in the same plane, means for washingwindows, the means being mounted on the free end of one of the membersand having its surface-engaging por tion extending in the same directionas that member, means for wiping windows, the wiping means being mountedon the member to have its surfaceengaging portion disposed to extend inthe same general direction but angularly away from the member, and ahandle engaging the mounting member closely adjacent the point ofmounting of the means.

ISRAEL GOLDSMITH.

